xxviii Journal of Proceedings.
Monday, May 29th, 1882.
This morning the exploration of the Loughton (or Cowper's) Camp,
Epping Forest, commenced, and continued for 14 days. As the works
were renewed on August 14th, a report of the whole investigation is given
under that date.
Friday, June 9th, 1882.
In accordance with Mr. W. Cole's suggestion, adopted at the meeting
of the Club on April 29th last, a " Conference " between the Verderers and
some members of the Club was held on this evening, by the kind invita-
tion of Mr. E. N. Buxton, at his house, "Knighton," Woodford, for the
purpose of discussing certain points relative to the management of Epping
Forest. Of the Verderers Mr. E. N. Buxton, Sir Fowell Buxton, Bart.,
and Mr. Andrew Johnston were present, and took part in the discussion.
The claims of the lovers and students of Nature to whom the preservation
of the primaeval aspects of the Forest is a matter of the first importance
were ably put forward by several well-known naturalists. Among the
speakers were Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., Dr. M. C. Cooke, Mr. J. E.
Harting, F.L.S. (Editor of 'Zoologist'), Mr. Charters White, F.L.S.,
F.R.M.S. (President of the Quekett Microscropical Club), Prof. Boulger,
F.L.S., Mr. Frederick Young, J.P. (President of the "Forest Fund"),
and the President and Secretary of the Essex Field Club. Mr. W. Gr. S.
Smith, Hon. Secretary to the " Forest Fund," was also present. The
results of the Conference were considered highly satisfactory, the
Verderers agreeing in the main with the views advanced as to the
necessity for preserving the natural characters of the Forest, and
promising to do all in their power to bring about a result so desirable.
Saturday, June 17th, 1882. A Visit to the Deneholes in
Hangman's Wood, Little Thurrock, Essex.
Since the reference to the Deneholes made at our meeting at Grays on
May 14th, 1881 ('Proceedings,' ii., xviii.), so much interest in these
mysterious relies had been aroused that the Council determined to afford
the members an opportunity of visiting them, as a preliminary step
towards a more thorough exploration. Accordingly a Field Meeting was
fixed for the above date, and the services of Mr. F. C. J. Spurrell,
F.G.S., Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S., and Mr. Henry Walker, F.G.S., were
fortunately secured.
The literature of our Essex Deneholes, like that of the Epping Forest
Camps, is imperfect in the extreme. Antiquaries and inquisitive folk of
all degrees have visited them at intervals during at least the last 300
years, but in general they have been satisfied with the most superficial
examinations, and content to propound theories as to the origin and use